The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

In a flash: Gordon making switch to center field for Seattle

- By Tim Booth

PEORIA, ARIZ. » The play was as routine as it gets in a spring training game, a stolen base attempt with a throw down to second base.

Right now, nothing is routine for Dee Gordon. The moment the runner broke from first, Gordon sprinted from center field and was just 30 or so feet behind the base as the throw arrived. As innocuous as the play was, it was a moment that stood out to Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais.

“He knows the value of those little things have played in the infield. He’s moving in the right spots,” Servais said. “Really happy with how this has gone early in camp with him.”

In almost any other circumstan­ce, Gordon would be preparing for another season as a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman. But that’s not why he’s now in Seattle, creating on one of the most interestin­g position changes in baseball for the 2018 season.

Gordon will be the Mariners center fielder. His infielders’ glove, the one that earned him a Gold Glove in 2015, will be a permanent resident in his locker the result of being traded from Miami to the Mariners in the offseason. While there was initially hesitation on Gordon’s part about making the switch, he’s now fully invested on being the next great center fielder for the Mariners.

“When I met him, I was like this guy is all in. Early on whatever he went through right when the change happened, it happened very quickly that he said I’m going to help the Mariners be the best center fielder I can,” said first base coach Chris Prieto, whose coaching responsibi­lities also include outfielder­s. “Once he decided that, which was relatively quick, I knew that right away. He has the feel for the game. He’s a pro in everything that he does.”

 ?? CHARLIE NEIBERGALL — ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon gives autographs to fans before a game against the San Diego Padres, Friday in Peoria, Ariz. The Associated Press
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL — ASSOCIATED PRESS Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon gives autographs to fans before a game against the San Diego Padres, Friday in Peoria, Ariz. The Associated Press

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